Friday, September 13, 2019

According to the shipyard insider, the Type 71 LPD costs 221millions US dollars to build. The "E" is for the export model. Wonder how much is the price of the export version for the Thai Navy? Also if there will be a royal family stateroom build in like the Thai aircraft carrier HTMS Charkri Naruebet.

Update: according to Thai media the price for the Type 71E is 6.1 billion Baht or equals to 200.6 millions USD. Which is 20 millions USD cheaper than the Chinese Navy version. A friendship price? or it has different weapons and equipment than the non-export version?

Monday, September 09, 2019

It was developed from the Russian Katyusha rockets of WW2 vintage with an emphasis in increase payload at reduced range. The system was in PLA service from the late 1960s-early 1970s to its retirement in 2000s. In its primary mine laying role, each rocket carries 10-20 small AT scatter mines. In the mine clearing mode, the rockets have either conventional high explosive or fuel-air explosive warhead with a long nose prob to detonate it few feet above ground. The overpressure allows it to trigger or disable surface laid or buried mines. Both type of rockets typically have 3000-4000m range.

Monday, September 02, 2019

Fighter jets from China's PLA Air Force and the Royal Thai Air Force fly in tactical formation during a joint training exercise. The closing ceremony of the joint exercise code-named "Falcon Strike 2019" between the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force and the Royal Thai Air Force was held at the Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base (Udorn RTAFB) on August 29, 2019, local time. The three-day exercise was aimed to promote cooperation and exchanges between the two air forces, test combat tactics and methods, promote equipment development, and improve the joint training level of the two sides. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Xie Zhongwu and Zhou Yongheng)

China will bring its paramilitary police force, the People’s Armed
Police, under the direct control of the Central Military Commission,
which controls the country’s armed forces, state media reported on
Wednesday.

The 1.5 million-strong paramilitary police force
previously came under a dual command structure of the CMC and the State
Council, or cabinet, via the Ministry of Public Security. It serves as a
backup for the military in times of war, and domestically has a role in
putting down protests and counterterrorism – particularly in areas such
as the restive far western Xinjiang region – as well as border defence
and firefighting.